Maharashtra rebels camp in Delhi

150 partymen led by Ranjit Deshmukh protest against MPCC chief

In a fresh twist to the factional feud in Maharashtra Congress, about 150 partymen led by former state unit chief Ranjit Deshmukh met senior party leaders here today to protest against the alleged high-handed manner of the incumbent MPCC chief, Prabha Rau.

For the record, they came here to oppose the recent appointment of Sunita Gavande as Nagpur (rural) district Congress chief, who had been reportedly expelled from the party for six years for anti-party activities.

The former MPCC chief, Deshmukh, who had been replaced by Rau after the party's poor show in last year's parliamentary election, was accompanied by four party MLAs. These men had come all the way by road to apprise the party's national leadership of Rau's "autocratic style of functioning".

"The MPCC chief is promoting rebels. She has appointed Gavande Nagpur (rural) district unit chief despite the fact that her family has a history of rebellion against the party in elections""once by her father-in-law, twice by her husband and once by her. They contested against party candidates in elections," Deshmukh told Business Standard.

He said Gavande had been expelled from the party for six years but within six months after that she was "rewarded" with the new post.

Deshmukh along with his supporters met Congress Treasurer Motilal Vora and AICC general secretaries Ambika Soni and Janardan Dwivedi. They were also seeking appointment with the Congress president.

The latest development came as no surprise to party leaders here, given the backdrop of long-drawn factional feuds in Maharashtra Congress.

The incumbent MPCC chief is said to be having a running battle with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Another Deshmukh's arrival in Delhi only hinted at a fresh chapter in the unending saga of infighting and factionalism in Maharashtra Congress.